Module Database

Information for module biol2004

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To give a broad understanding of the principles and applications of modern molecular biological techniques.

Module objectives:

Students will be given the opportunity to learn about:
- the structure and properties of DNA, with an emphasis on the practical aspects of DNA manipulation.
- DNA as the genetic material.
- the properties of the enzymes used in in vitro DNA manipulation.
- the properties of cloning vectors and the principles of gene library construction.
- the basic techniques of molecular biology: electrophoresis, blotting, sequencing, cloning and the polymerase chain reaction. The practicals will give "hands-on" experience of these techniques.
- a range of current applications of DNA technology, to illustrate how the techniques can be applied in very diverse areas of biology, biotechnology, ecology, evolution and medicine.

You are expected to attend the practicals and tutorials, and to complete the coursework. Failure to do so without adequate excuse may result in you failing the course, regardless of how well you do in the exam.